does central heat (gas) or portable electric heaters cost more to run?`?

Answer 1

If the central heat is relatively new/efficient it is less per BTU. But if you can just keep the room your in warm with the electric it will cost you less overall even though the electric costs more per BTU. Simply because you are heating less square footage.

Answer 2

wow Tara it is hard to say. if you could use portable electric heaters and only heat one room at a time you may lots of money. central heat will heat the entire house even if you are not in the room. natural gas is cheaper than electricity as far as producing heat only if you are heating the whole house. if overall comfort is not in question my answer is electric portable heaters CAN be cheaper If less space is heated. more expensive is same space is heated

Answer 3

Portable electric heaters use a lot more energy than gas central heat. Electric heaters, stoves, & irons all pull a real lot of power & in most parts of the country, electricity is more expensive than gas.

Answer 4

Depends on what your trying to do with it. If you have one room you want warmer, it's cheaper to use the portable heater to warm that one room. If you want your whole house warm, it's cheaper to use the central system.

Answer 5

personally w/gas prices as high as they are i found i saved about 100.00/month using my electric portable heaters, just make sure they are the kind w/a thermostat so they will kick on and off by themselves.

Answer 6

RIGHT NOW ELECT. IF THE COAL BURNING POWER PLANT ( UTILITY CO.'S) DIDN'T AVERAGE COST TO CUSTOMER, ELECTRICITY WOULD BE CHEAPER TO ALL RECIPIENTS OF THE COAL BURNING PLANT, WAY HIGH FOR ALL THE POOR JOE'S WHO WERE HOOKED TO NAT GAS BURNERS!